SEARCY, Ark. -- No. 10 Harding took care of business at home on Saturday, shutting out Oklahoma Baptist 4–0 behind a standout performance by pitcher
Brooklyn Gobble at HU Softball Field. The win moved HU's record to 34-11 and 18-9 in the Great American Conference while the Bison fell to 27-15 and 20-6 in league play.
Gobble tossed a complete-game, three-hitter with five strikeouts and just one walk. She kept the Oklahoma Baptist lineup in check all afternoon, facing only one batter over the minimum through the final three innings.
The HU offense came alive in the fourth when Gobble helped her own cause with a two-run single down the right-field line. That was part of a three-run frame for Harding, which also included an RBI groundout by Bailey Willis and a walk from Emma Curry that set the table. The hosts added another run in the fifth after an error allowed Zoey Neal to score, capping the scoring.
Neal and Emaline Pearson each had two hits to pace the Harding offense, while Jadyn Booth reached base twice and scored a run.
Oklahoma Baptist's best chance came in the first inning when
Kaley Cook singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded there. Cook finished 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, accounting for two of the team's three hits.
In the process, Cook moved her single-season steals mark to 37, tying the school record set by Mary May in 1993.
Jaycee Shaffer took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out eight in six innings of work.
The Bison will return to action on Apr. 15 when it hosts Northeastern State for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
